The popularity of the event hasn't been in question because it's sold out the last 5 years. "We have 100 teams of three," says Waddington. "(The race) generally attracts the best trail runners, triathletes, orienterrers, and adventure racers. The first year we had 14 teams and are now up to 100 – 110 each year depending on our limit."

Over the years, Waddington says there have been plenty of outstanding athletes but the great navigators really make the difference for the winning teams. "There's a section called the Matrix that is somewhere between checkpoint 10 to 12 where teams can split up to get the CP's the fastest way possible. It's an interesting challenge regarding team dynamics when you split up your best navigator and strongest runner," says Waddington.

Raid the Hammer began when adventure racing was really taking off in southern Ontario at the beginning of the century. Over the years the organizers developed a 3 to 5 km's kids race and a half raid for the inexperienced racers that helped gain it in popularity. Last year for the 10-year anniversary, the organizers "over did it a little bit" making it the most challenging course yet, says Waddington. Some years, they've included about a mile of climbing. "We try to be tied to the idea of running Ontario's toughest adventure race," he adds.

Forbes enjoys the social aspect of adventure racing, he says it helps him remain competitive but also not get too caught up. "There are times I definitely can get pretty stressed out during the race. But going from checkpoint to checkpoint I get a little more laid back. Our team is more of a democracy than a dictatorship because there's mutual respect and everyone brings out own each other's strength," says Forbes. "I tell my friends that are into racing to run Raid the Hammer because it's very accessible for beginners and is a great navigation practice. The atmosphere is both laid back and supportive for the racers. It's got a great community feeling."

Forbes says the raid has helped him develop navigation skills that he didn't have before. "When I first started out I came from an adventure racing background, not an orienteering background, "says Forbes. "When my team first started out I was the navigator – so we spent 6 or 7 hours out there and couldn't believe the top teams get there in 3." Forbes adds that it was a matter of his team having the endurance but not the precision.

However Forbes and his Solomon/Running Free team have gotten better every year because him and Pete Campbell, the other navigator on the team, have increased their skills. "It was probably the hardest race I've ever done when we started. I was wearing improper equipment and we'd basically drag ourselves through it. I have friends that have gotten lost. I've never gotten too lost but have wasted 45 minutes on a checkpoint that should have taken 5," says Forbes. Since then, because of the improved navigation, his team has greatly improved their final position. "We've finished third a few times, we've done some big races together and have found some chemistry," says Forbes.

Raid the Hammer ends up being the last adventure run a lot of local racers, including Forbes, do until next year. "It's a great race to the end season. I always put it on my calendar," says Forbes. Although the majority of teams, like Forbes', come from Canada – especially southern Ontario, there are a couple of racers from the U.S. Waddington says he'd like to attract more American racers in the future especially because next year's race will have a War of 1812 bi-centennial theme.